Systems and processes for treating textiles with an antimicrobial agent

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating a textile with an antimicrobial agent includes receiving a textile in a washer system. The textile includes an identification tag, which uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles. The method also includes detecting, in the washer system, the identification tag. The method further includes determining, based on the detected identification tag, one or more parameters for treating the textile with an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent includes a metallic ion. The method also includes washing the textile with a detergent, and, after washing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile with the antimicrobial agent based on the one or more parameters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/465,571, filed Mar. 1, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The disclosure is directed to systems and methods for treating textileswith an antimicrobial agent.

BACKGROUND

Microbial contamination of textiles can contribute to the spread ofinfectious diseases, including healthcare associated infections, whichare among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United Statesand are associated with a substantial increase in health care costs eachyear. In other instances, microbial contaminations can cause unsightlystains and unpleasant odors.

Textiles having antimicrobial properties can help reduce (or eliminate)microbial contaminations of textiles. In one prior approach to providinga textile having antimicrobial properties, the textile is treated withan antimicrobial agent during a textile manufacturing process. Forexample, the fibers of the textile are embedded or coated withantimicrobial agent during the manufacturing process. However, the totalamount of antimicrobial agent is fixed at the point of conversion of thefibers into a textile and the efficacy declines over time as theantimicrobial agent in the fabric is washed away when laundered andnever restored. Moreover, this approach has proven to be unsatisfactoryto market participants.

In addition to the efficacy/performance issues noted above, theseproducts require commercial linen users, such as hospitals and otherhealth care delivery facilities, to make a large upfront capitalinvestment to purchase a new, antimicrobial agent-impregnated, lineninventory and discard existing and otherwise useable inventory. Further,the products may exhibit a soiled off-white discoloration appearance,may be uncomfortable to the touch, and are known to be difficult tolaunder, dry and press verses traditional linens.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of treating atextile with an antimicrobial agent includes receiving a textile in awasher system. The textile includes an identification tag, whichuniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles. Themethod also includes detecting, in the washer system, the identificationtag. The method further includes determining, based on the detectedidentification tag, one or more parameters for treating the textile withan antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent includes a metallic ion.The method also includes washing the textile with a detergent, and,after washing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile withthe antimicrobial agent based on the one or more parameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system in which a textile maybe used according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a reader device and textileaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a reader device and textileaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a washer system in which atextile may be used according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating an example model for determining anantimicrobial dosage based on measured water quality according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a flowchart of a process for treating textiles with anantimicrobial agent according to an example embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the Figures and will be described in detail herein. It shouldbe understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It shouldbe understood that other embodiments may include more or less of eachelement shown in a given Figure. Further, some of the illustratedelements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, an example embodimentmay include elements that are not illustrated in the Figures.

DESCRIPTION

The following description describes various features and functions ofthe disclosed systems and methods with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the Figures, similar symbols typically identify similarcomponents, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative systemsand methods described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will bereadily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed systems andmethods can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of differentconfigurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

According to aspects of the disclosure, systems and processes aredescribed and illustrated for treating a textile with an antimicrobialagent. The terms fabric, linen, and textile are used interchangeablyherein. Aspects of the disclosure may be described in the context of asingle textile for ease of description; however, it should be understoodthat such aspects can be extended to include processes and systems inthe context of multiple textiles such as an inventory of textiles havingmultiple pieces.

Within examples, the textile is treated with the antimicrobial agentduring one or more laundry cycles in a washer system. At any given time,the amount of antimicrobial agent contained in the textile is based onvarious factors such as, for example, a number of laundry cycles thetextile has undergone, a concentration of the antimicrobial agent in atreatment solution of each laundry cycle, and/or an amount of time thetextile is exposed to the treatment solution for each laundry cycle.After one or more of the laundry cycles, the textile may achieve a levelof efficacy that can reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of thetextile.

Given that the amount of antimicrobial agent in a textile is based onvarious factors, which may change from one laundry cycle to the next fora particular textile, using the same parameters for each laundry cycleof the textile may lead to inefficiencies. For example, if the sameconcentration of the antimicrobial agent is used to treat the textilefor each laundry cycle, the washer system may unnecessarily useexcessive amounts of antimicrobial agent for later laundry cyclesperformed after the textile achieves efficacy (i.e., as a result of anearlier laundry cycle).

The systems and methods of the present disclosure can reduce (oreliminate) such inefficiencies by configuring one or more parameters forperforming a laundry cycle to treat a textile based, at least in part,on tracking data associated with the textile. The tracking dataassociated with the textile can be determined based on one or morereader devices detecting an identification tag coupled to the textile asthe textile moves through one or more locations of the system. As anexample, the reader device(s) can include a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) interrogator that scans an RFID tag of thetextile. As another example, the reader device(s) can include a barcodescanner and the identification tag can include a barcode. Moregenerally, the identification tag provides identification informationthat uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles thatmay be laundered and/or used in the system, and the reader device candetect the identification tag so as to determine the identificationinformation from the identification tag.

As examples, the tracking data associated with the textile can includedata representing (i) a number of times the textile was washed with adetergent, (ii) a number of times the textile was treated with theantimicrobial agent, (iii) a concentration of a treatment solutionapplied to the textile during one or more laundry cycles, (iv) an amountof time that the textile was washed and/or treated during the laundrycycle(s), (v) an amount of time that the textile was agitated during thelaundry cycle(s), (vi) a rate of addition of the antimicrobial agent(i.e., a dosing rate) to form the treatment solution for treating thetextile with the antimicrobial agent during the laundry cycle(s), and/or(vii) a quality of the water that was used to wash and/or treat thetextile during the laundry cycle(s). The system can determine additionalor alternative types of tracking data in other examples.

Within examples, the reader devices can be positioned at one or morelocations within a washer system to facilitate determining the trackingdata for each laundry cycle of the textile. For instance, a readerdevice can be positioned in an intake to the washer system to detect andrecord each time the textile enters the washer system. In additional oralternative examples, the system can include reader device(s) at one ormore additional zones and/or modules within a washer system tofacilitate tracking the progress of the textile through the washersystem (e.g., in a wash zone, a neutralization zone, a treatment zone,etc.).

In additional or alternative examples, the one or more reader devicescan be located at a plurality of locations within a broader system(e.g., a healthcare system, a hospital system, a hotel system, etc.).For example, the reader device(s) can be located in a laundry facility,a clean textile storage area, a textile usage environment, a soiledtextile collection area, and/or transport devices. By detecting theidentification tag of the textile at these locations, the system cantrack the textile at different points in the usage cycle of the textile.This can facilitate the system providing an inventory tracking systemthat can be used to achieve efficient handling of textile orderfulfillment, maintaining appropriate stock levels of textiles,maintaining and ordering stock of the antimicrobial agent, and/ormaintaining and ordering stock of detergent.

In one example, the system can utilize the tracking data to determine anexpected amount of antimicrobial agent that is needed to maintain apredetermined level of efficacy within an inventory of textiles for agiven period of time. The system can additionally or alternativelydetermine whether a stock of antimicrobial agent currently available tothe system is sufficient to meet the expected demand for theantimicrobial agent over that period of time and, if the systemdetermines that the stock is not sufficient, the system can causeadditional stock of the antimicrobial agent to be ordered. In this way,the system can use the tracking data to perform predictive analytics,which improve efficiency of the system. Additionally, such predictiveanalytics can facilitate reducing the storage space required to storethe stock of antimicrobial agent and/or reducing down time of the systemdue to the system awaiting the delivery of additional stock ofantimicrobial agent. In an additional or alternative example, the systemcan perform a similar process with respect to the stock of detergentavailable to the system.

In additional or alternative examples, the system can also configure theparameter(s) for treating the textile based on product data associatedwith the textile. For example, the product data can include datarepresenting (i) a type of textile (e.g., a gown, a bedsheet, a blanket,clothing, a pillow case, etc.), (ii) a material of the textile, and/or(iii) a manufacture date of the textile (i.e., an age of the textile).Some types of textiles may be used by end-users in contexts that maybenefit from a different an amount of antimicrobial agent in thetextiles as compared to other types of textiles that are used in othercontexts. For example, a textile that is expected to come into contactwith bodily fluids may benefit from having a greater amount ofantimicrobial agent than a textile that is not expected to come intocontact with bodily fluids. In general, the system can store the productdata in association with the unique identification informationcorresponding to the textile.

In one example, the system can further use the tracking data and/or theproduct data to determine when the textile has reached the end of itsuseful life and remove the textile from the system for disposal and/orrecycling. For instance, the system can use the tracking data todetermine when the textile has been washed and/or treated greater than athreshold number of times and, based on such determination, remove thetextile from the system. This may help to avoid discoloration oftextiles due to excessive exposure to the antimicrobial agent.

In additional or alternative examples, the tracking data can includepatient- and/or medical-related information. For instance, when atextile is provided to a patient, the reader device can scan theidentification tag on the textile and a patient-identification tag(e.g., a barcode and/or RFID tag on a patient identification bracelet).Based on these initial scans, the reader device can signal to the systemthat the patient began using the textile and the system can recordtracking data including a first timestamp. After the patient uses thetextile, the textile is retrieved from the patient and the reader devicecan again scan the identification tag on the textile and thepatient-identification tag. Based on these subsequent scans, the readerdevice can signal the system that the patient stopped using the textileand the system can record tracking data including a second timestamp.Thus, by scanning the identification tag of the textile and thepatient-identification tag when the textile is provided to and retrievedfrom the patient, the system can obtain tracking data indicating thetime period during which the patient used the textile.

In one implementation, the system can access a medical record associatedwith the patient (e.g., based on information from the scannedpatient-identification tag) to determine information relating to medicalprocedures performed on the patient and/or health conditions of thepatient for the time period during which the patient used the textile.The system can incorporate this medical procedure information and/orhealth condition information in the tracking data stored for thetextile. In this way, the system can configure the parameter(s) fortreating the textile based on the medical procedure and/or the patienthealth condition that encountered by the textile during use.

Additionally, for example, by tracking which patients used a textile andthe times of such use, the system can provide information that can helpto address healthcare acquired infections in a healthcare system. Forinstance, if it is determined that a contamination occurred in aspecific location of the healthcare system (e.g., a specific operatingroom), the system can use the stored tracking data to determineinformation indicating which textiles passed through the location, atwhat times the textiles passed through the location, and which patientswere using the textiles at that time. Personnel can then use thisinformation to investigate the source of the contamination, and/oridentify patients that should be checked for potential health problemsdue to the contamination. The tracking information can also be used todetermine other locations that the identified textiles passed throughafter passing through the contaminated location to determine whether thecontamination spread to additional locations in the healthcare systemthat have not yet been identified as having a contamination.

Similarly, if a patient is determined to have a health condition causedby a contamination, the system can use the tracking data to determinethe textile(s) that the patient used and the times of such use.Personnel can then determine which other patients used those textilesafter the identified times so that the personnel can check theidentified patients for potential health problems. Additionally, in someimplementations, the system can flag the identified textile as requiringmore extensive antimicrobial agent treatment and/or cause the textilesto be removed from the system. In these ways, the system can facilitatereducing healthcare acquired infections within the healthcare system.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified block diagram of a system 10 fortreating textiles 12 with an antimicrobial agent based on trackinginformation is illustrated according to an example. As shown in FIG. 1,the system 10 includes a plurality of areas 14 through which thetextiles 12 may pass while in use. For example, in FIG. 1, the areas 14include a laundry facility 16, a clean textile storage area 18, atextile usage environment 20, and a soiled collection area 22 in FIG. 1.The laundry facility 14 can carry out a laundry process to wash thetextiles 12 and/or treat the textiles 12 with an antimicrobial agent.Example washer systems for carrying out laundry processes are describedbelow.

After each textile 12 is cleaned, the textile 12 can be transferred fromthe laundry facility 16 to the clean textile storage area 18. The cleantextile storage area 18 can store the textiles 12 until needed for useand, thus, can provide one or more centralized locations for maintaininga portion of an inventory of textiles that is ready for deployment. Forexample, the clean textile storage area 18 can include a plurality ofshelves and/or storage containers for storing the textiles 12 accordingto various criteria such as, for example, type and/or size.

When needed for use, the textiles 12 are transferred to the textileusage environment 20. As examples, the textile usage environment 20 canbe a healthcare facility, a hospital, a hotel, and/or an athleticfacility. For instance, the textiles 12 can be used by doctors, nurses,hospital personnel, and/or patients in the textile usage environment 20.As a result of such usage, the textiles 12 may become soiled. Oncesoiled, the textiles 12 are transferred to the soiled textile collectionarea 22. For example, the soiled textile collection area 22 can includea laundry shoot and/or linen hampers, which facilitate collecting thesoiled textiles 12 in one or more centralized locations.

The textiles 12 can then be transferred from the soiled textilecollection area 22 to the laundry facility 14 to repeat the process.Within examples, the laundry facility 14 can be located locally and/orremotely from the clean textile storage area 18, the textile usageenvironment 20, and/or the soiled collection area 22. Although the areas14 of the system 10 includes the laundry facility 16, the clean textilestorage area 18, the textile usage environment 20, and the soiledcollection area 22 in FIG. 1, the system 10 can include additional oralternative areas 14 in other examples.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the textile 12 includes an identification tag24 and the areas 14 each include a reader device 26A-26D. In FIG. 1, thelaundry facility 16 includes a first reader device 26A that can detectthe identification tag 24 when the textile 12 is in the laundry facility16, the clean textile storage area 18 includes a second reader device26B that can detect the identification tag 24 when the textile 12 is inthe clean textile storage area 18, the textile usage environment 20includes a third reader device 26C that can detect the identificationtag 24 when the textile 12 is in the usage environment 20, and thesoiled textile collection area 22 includes a fourth reader device 26Dthat can detect the identification tag 24 when the textile 12 is in thesoiled collection area 22.

In one example, the reader devices 26A-26D can include a RFIDinterrogator and the identification tag 24 can include a RFID tag. Asadditional or alternative example, the reader devices 26A-26D caninclude a barcode scanner and the identification tag 24 can include abarcode. More generally, the identification tag 24 providesidentification information that uniquely identifies the textile 12 amonga plurality of textiles that may be laundered and/or used in the system10, and the reader devices 26A-26D can detect the identification tag 24so as to determine the identification information from theidentification tag 24.

The reader devices 26A-26D are communicatively coupled (e.g., viawireless and/or wired connections over a network 28) to a computingdevice 30. The computing device 30 includes a processor 32, a datastorage unit 34, and an input/output device 36.

The processor 32 may include a general-purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)). The data storage unit 34 can have one or morevolatile, non-volatile, removable, and/or non-removable storagecomponents, such as magnetic, optical, or flash storage, and/or may beintegrated in whole or in part with processor 32. Further, the datastorage unit 34 may take the form of a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium, having stored thereon program instructions (e.g.,compiled or non-compiled program logic and/or machine code) that, whenexecuted by processor 32, cause the system 10 to perform one or moreacts and/or functions, such as those described in this disclosure. Assuch, system 10 may be configured to perform one or more acts and/orfunctions, such as those described in this disclosure. Such programinstructions may define and/or be part of a discrete softwareapplication that can be executed in response to certain inputs beingreceived from a communication interface and/or a user interface, forinstance. The data storage unit 34 may also store other types of data,such as those types described in this disclosure.

In general, when the textile 12 enters, exits, and/or is present in oneof the areas 14, the corresponding reader device 26A-26D in the area 14communicates with the identification tag 24 to determine theidentification information associated with the textile 12. The readerdevice 26A-26D transmits the determined identification information tothe computing device 30. The processor 32 processes the identificationinformation to determine and/or update tracking data 36 stored in thedata storage unit 34. For instance, the computing system 30 can utilizea database that specifies for each textile, on a per textile basis, oneor more records of associated data items for: (i) the uniqueidentification information corresponding to the identification tag 24 ofthe textile 12 and (ii) a time and location of the identification tag 24being detected. In this way, the tracking data 36 can provide a logindicating the current location of the textile 12 in the system 10and/or a history of past locations of the textile 12 in the system 10.

As will be described further below, the tracking data 36 can alsoinclude data items for i) a number of times the textile 12 was washedwith a detergent, (ii) a number of times the textile 12 was treated withan antimicrobial agent, (iii) a concentration of a treatment solutionapplied to the textile 12 during one or more laundry cycles, (iv) anamount of time that the textile 12 was washed and/or treated during thelaundry cycle(s), (v) an amount of time that the textile 12 was agitatedduring the laundry cycle(s), (vi) a rate of addition of theantimicrobial agent to form the treatment solution for treating thetextile with the antimicrobial agent during the laundry cycle(s), and/or(vii) a quality of the water that was used to wash and/or treat thetextile during the laundry cycle(s).

As also shown in FIG. 1, the data storage unit 34 can store product data38 for each textile 12. For instance, the database can further specifyfor each textile one or more records of associated data items for the(i) unique identification information corresponding to theidentification tag 24 of the textile 12, (ii) a type of textile (e.g., agown, a bedsheet, a blanket, clothing, a pillow case, etc.), (iii) amaterial of the textile, and/or (iv) a manufacture date of the textile(i.e., an age of the textile).

The data storage unit 34 can further store inventory managementinstructions 40, which the computing system 30 may use to control theperformance of tasks and actions relating to the textile 12 at thedifferent areas 14 of the system 10. For example, the computing system30 can use the inventory management instructions 40 to cause the textile12 to be moved from one area 14 to another area 14 in the system 10,and/or to order additional antimicrobial agent and/or detergent for useat the laundry facility 16.

The data storage unit 36 can also store treatment parameters 42. Thecomputing system 30 can provide the treatment parameters 42 to a washersystem at the laundry facility 16 to control operation of the washersystem during a laundry cycle. For instance, the computing system 30 candetermine one or more treatment parameters 42 from among a plurality ofpossible treatment parameters 42 for a particular laundry cycle of thetextile 12 based on an analysis of the tracking data 36 and/or productdata 38 stored for the textile 12. In this way, the computing system 30can dynamically adjust the parameter(s) 42 used to treat textiles 12with an antimicrobial agent for each laundry cycle based on specificconditions and/or characteristics of the textiles 12 in the laundrycycle.

As examples, the parameter(s) 42 can include the textile can includedata representing (i) a concentration of a treatment solution to beapplied to the textile during the laundry cycle, (ii) an amount of timethe textile is to be treated, (iii) a rate of addition of theantimicrobial agent to form the treatment solution for treating thetextile with the antimicrobial agent during the laundry cycle, (iv) anamount of detergent to be applied to the textile during the laundrycycle, (v) an amount of time the textile is to be washed in one or moremodules 120A-120F of the washer system 100 during the laundry cycle,and/or (vi) an amount of time that the textile is to be agitated duringthe laundry cycle.

The input/output device 36 includes one more devices configured toreceive inputs from and/or provide outputs to a user. For example, theinput/output device 36 can include a display that is configured tooutput information to the user. In one implementation, the display is atouchscreen configured to output information to the user and receiveuser input. The input/output device 36 can additionally and/oralternatively include one or more buttons, switches, levers,microphones, etc. configured to receive user inputs and/or one or morespeakers, indicator lights, etc. configured to present visual/auditoryoutputs to the user. As described above, the input/output device 36 iscommunicatively coupled to the processor 32 for receiving the inputsfrom the user and/or providing the outputs to the user.

FIG. 2 depicts the textile 12 with the identification tag 24 configuredas a RFID tag 24A according to an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the RFIDtag 24A is coupled to the textile 12. In an example, the RFID tag 24Acan include an integrated circuit (IC) chip 44 that stores theidentification information associated with the textile 12. The RFID tag24A can further include an antenna (not shown) for communicating withthe reader device 26 and/or a protective housing (not shown) forprotecting the RFID tag 24A during use and/or a laundry cycle. Forinstance, the protective housing can provide a waterproof, heatresistant, and/or pressure resistant enclosure for housing the IC chip44 and the antenna. This can facilitate protecting the RFID tag 24A fromthe conditions of the washer system. Within examples, the RFID tag 24Acan be a passive RFID tag, a semi-passive RFID tag, and/or an activeRFID tag.

In FIG. 2, the reader device 26 is a RFID interrogator having an antenna45. Using the antenna 45, the reader device 26 can wirelessly read theunique identification information stored in the IC chip 42. For example,the reader device 26 can transmit an interrogation signal 46 to the ICchip 42 and responsively receive a radio signal 48 from the RFID tag 24Athat represents the unique identification information. Within examples,the reader device 26 can be in the form of a mobile handheld deviceand/or a container having a receptacle for receiving multiple textiles12.

FIG. 3 depicts the textile 12 with the identification tag 24 configuredas a barcode 24B according to another example. The barcode 24B can becoded to represent the unique identification information associated withthe textile 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the reader device 26 includes anoptical barcode scanner 50 for transmitting and receiving optical signal52 to read the barcode 24B and determine the unique identificationinformation from the barcode 24B.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a simplified block diagram of an example washersystem 100 is illustrated according aspects of the disclosure. As shownin FIG. 4, the washer system 100 includes a tunnel washer 112 having anintake 114 at a first end and a discharge 116 at a second end. Theintake 114 receives one or more textiles to be washed and treated. Inone example, the intake 114 can be in the form of a hopper that canreceive a batch of textiles into the tunnel washer 112. The discharge116 facilitates transferring clean, treated textiles from the tunnelwasher 112 to a fluid-extraction device 118. In one example, thedischarge 116 can be in the form of a slide or a chute that transportsthe washed textiles towards the fluid-extraction device 118. In anotherexample, the discharge 116 can include a receptacle for holding thewashed textiles until the fluid-extraction device 118 is ready toreceive the washed textiles. The fluid-extraction device 118 can be, forexample, a centrifugal extractor and/or a mechanical press.

The tunnel washer 112 includes an outer housing 117, which defines aninterior of the tunnel washer 112. The interior of the tunnel washer 112is segmented by a plurality of modules 120A-120F between the intake 114and the discharge 116. In the illustrated example, the modules 120A-120Fare formed as a plurality of rotating drums separated from each other bylateral side walls.

During operation, the textiles to be washed and treated sequentiallymove through the modules 120A-120F in the direction of arrow A, enteringthe outer housing 117 at the intake 114 and exiting the outer housing117 at the discharge 116. To do so, the modules 120A-120F transfertextiles from one module to the next by a top transfer arrangementand/or a bottom transfer arrangement. For example, the drums may haveinlets and outlets on opposing sides of the drums so that the textilesmay be transferred through the outlet in one drum into the inlet in thenext drum. In some implementations, each drum can further include ascoop-like member mounted within the drum to facilitate transferring thetextiles via the inlets and outlets. The scoop-like members can beconfigured such that oscillating the drums within a limited range ofrotation does not transfer the textiles between drums, but insteadimparts mechanical action to the textiles to promote the wash andtreatment process. However, when the drums are rotated beyond thelimited range of rotation, the scoop-like members receive and transportthe textiles to the outlets of the drums. In this way, the textilesentering the tunnel washer 112 at the intake 114 are transported througheach of the modules 120A-120F in sequence to the discharge 116.

Although the modules 120A-120F are described as rotating drums in theabove example, it should be understood that the modules 120A-120F can beformed in other ways such as, for example, by an Archimedean screwwithin the outer housing 117. Additionally, it should be understood thatthe modules 120A-120F can have a single-drum construction (i.e., asingle drum containing both the fluids and the textiles), a double-drumconstruction (i.e., each module has a stationary, exterior drum to holdfluids and a rotating, perforated inner drum to move textiles in thefluids), or a combination of single- and double-drum constructions.

In practice, the tunnel washer 112 can include one or more pre-washmodules, one or more main wash modules, one or more rinse modules, oneor more neutralization modules, and/or one or more treatment modulesaccording to aspects of the disclosure. The pre-wash module(s) define apre-wash zone of the tunnel washer 112, the main wash module(s) define amain wash zone, the rinse module(s) define a rinse zone, theneutralization module(s) define a neutralization zone, and the treatmentmodule(s) define a treatment zone of the tunnel washer 112. The numberof modules utilized to form these zones in the tunnel washer 112 mayvary in different example implementations.

In the illustrated example, the tunnel washer 112 has a pre-wash zoneprovided by the intake 114 as described in further detail below. Thepre-wash zone facilitates initial wetting of the textiles and,optionally, applying heat and wash chemistry early in the process toremove soil from the textiles prior to entering the main wash zone. Thetunnel washer 112 has a main wash zone formed by a first module 120A, asecond module 120B, and a third module 120C. The modules 120A-120C ofthe main wash zone may apply heat, steam, wash agents (e.g., adetergent, alkali, bleach, etc.), and/or mechanical action to facilitateremoving soil from the textiles. The tunnel washer 112 next includes arinse zone formed by a fourth module 120D and a fifth module 120E. Themodules 120D-120E of the rinse zone facilitate removing residual washagents carried over during transfer of the textiles from the main washzone. The tunnel washer 112 lastly includes a treatment zone formed by asixth module 120F in which the textiles are treated with theantimicrobial agent.

By treating the textile with the antimicrobial agent in the last module120F before the discharge 116, greater amounts of antimicrobial agentare retained by the textile upon completion of the laundry cycle. Thisis, in part, because treating the textile in the last module 120Fmitigates leaching of antimicrobial agent content from the textile,which would otherwise occur if the textile was further washed or rinsedafter being treated with the antimicrobial agent. In other embodiments,the rinse module and treatment module are combined, such that rinsingthe textiles and treating the textiles with an antimicrobial agentoccurs in the same module or modules. Indeed, in some aspects, thesolution used to treat the textiles also performs the functions of arinse to remove residual wash agents from the textiles.

Although the illustrated example has six modules, it should beunderstood that the tunnel washer 112 can have more or fewer modulesaccording to alternative aspects of the disclosure. For instance, insome alternative examples, the tunnel washer 112 can have eight totwelve modules. It also should be understood that, in some alternativeexamples, the pre-wash functions can be provided in one or more pre-washmodule(s) instead of the intake 114. And it should be understood that,in some alternative examples, the tunnel washer 112 can include aneutralization zone, between the rinse zone and the treatment zone, tofacilitate neutralizing residual alkali, detergent, and/or bleachcarried over during transfer of the textiles from the rinse zone. Insome examples, the neutralization zone may be further utilized to applya softener and/or starch to the textiles.

To facilitate adding, removing, and/or transferring water and chemicalsin the modules 120A-120F, the tunnel washer 112 can include one or moredrains, water sources, chemical sources, fluid tanks, flow lines,valves, pumps, nozzles, and/or weir plates. In the illustrated example,the washer system 100 includes a fresh water source 122, a polishedwater source 124, and a tempered water source 124. The fresh watersource 122 can provide, for example, cold fresh water (e.g., watersupplied by a municipality). The polished water source 124 can providewater treated by one or more filtration processes such as, for example,a deionization process, a reverse osmosis process, a granulatedactivated carbon (GAC) filtration process, a distillation process, or acombination thereof. The tempered water source 124 can provide waterthat has been heated, for example, to a temperature betweenapproximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 100 degreesFahrenheit (i.e., between approximately 29 degrees Celsius and 43degrees Celsius).

Also, in the illustrated example, a flow line 130 provides fresh waterfrom the fresh water source 122 to the fifth module 120E, a flow line132 provides polished water from the polished water source 124 to thefifth module 120E, and a flow line 134 provides tempered water from thetempered water source 124 to the fifth module 120E. Although the flowlines 130, 132, 134 are illustrated as separate from one another, one ormore of the flow lines 130, 132, 134 may be coupled so as to provide amixture of fresh water, polished water, and/or tempered water to thefifth module 120E in other examples. In general, the amount and/orcomposition of fluid supplied by the sources 120, 122, 124 at a giventime may be based on various criteria such as, for example, ameasurement of an amount of total dissolved solids (TDS), a hardness, ananions species, etc. by one or more sensors (not shown) in one or moremodules 120A-120E.

To supply the modules 120A-120D with fluids, the tunnel washer 112counterflows fluids from the fifth module 120E towards the intake 114.In this way, the textiles continuously encounter cleaner fluids as thetextiles are progressed through the tunnel washer 112 from the intake114 to the discharge 116. Depending on the construction of the modules120A-120E, the tunnel washer 112 may transfer fluids by directcounterflow (e.g., fluid flowing through or over lateral side walls dueto gravity) and/or indirect counterflow (e.g., via external flow linesand pumps between the modules 120A-120E). Commercially availableexamples of indirect counterflow systems are the CBW® Tunnel Washer andthe PBW® Tunnel Washer, including PULSEFLOW® technology (Pellerin MilnorCorporation, Kenner, La.).

In the illustrated example, a combination of direct counterflow andindirect counterflow can be employed to achieve example fluid levelsshown in FIG. 4 for each module 120A-120E. In particular, directcounterflow is utilized for transferring fluids within the rinse zoneand for transferring fluids within the main wash zone, whereas indirectcounterflow is utilized for transferring fluids from the treatment zoneor rinse zone to the main wash zone. This arrangement may help toseparate the rinse and wash zones.

In one non-limiting implementation of the illustrated example, the fluidwithin the fifth module 120E can counterflow back to the fourth module120D via a weir plate (not shown). The fluid within the fourth module120D can counterflow back to the third module 120C via a pump (notshown). Using a pump allows the fluid level in the third module 120C tobe higher than the fluid level in the fourth module 120D, as shown inFIG. 4. The fluid in the third module 120C then can counterflow back tothe second module 120B and the fluid in the second module 120B cancounterflow back to the first module 120A via weir plates. The firstmodule 120A may include a weir plate that facilitates transferringexcess fluids in the first module 120A to a drain 154. It should beunderstood that other example implementations for counterflowing fluidsfrom the fifth module 120E to the first module 120A are possible.

The washer system 100 also includes an antimicrobial agent source 128.The antimicrobial agent source 128 can include any device suitable forholding and/or supplying an antimicrobial agent to the tunnel washer112. Example devices and processes for supplying the antimicrobial agentto the tunnel washer 112 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,641,967, U.S.Patent Appl. Publication No. 2015/0159314, Patent Appl. Publication No.2015/0159319, Patent Appl. Publication No. 2015/0047718, and U.S.application Ser. No. 13/968,084 filed Aug. 15, 2013, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In some of suchexamples, the antimicrobial source 128 may dilute the antimicrobialagent from a first concentration to a second, lower concentration priorto supplying the antimicrobial agent to the tunnel washer 112. In otherexamples, the antimicrobial agent can be received in the antimicrobialagent source 128 in the same concentration in which it is supplied tothe tunnel washer 128.

In some aspects, the antimicrobial agent can include a metallic ion suchas, for example, silver ions. For instance, the antimicrobial agent caninclude silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver oxide, silver chloride,silver carbonate, silver sulfate, etc. One benefit to using anantimicrobial agent including silver ions is that such antimicrobialagents may cause less skin irritation and may be less detectable by auser than other antimicrobial agents. Nonetheless, it should beunderstood that other antimicrobial agents can be utilized such as, forexample, other metallic ions (e.g., copper, zinc, etc.). The washersystem 100 further includes a flow line 136 for providing anantimicrobial solution (i.e., a treatment solution) from theantimicrobial agent source 128 to the sixth module 120F. The treatmentsolution may include a concentration of antimicrobial agent. A flowmeter 137 and a flow control device 139 can be coupled to the flow line136 to respectively monitor and control the amount of treatment solution(and, thus, the amount of antimicrobial agent) that is provided from theantimicrobial source 128 to the sixth module 120F. The flow controldevice 139 can include, for example, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragmpump, a solenoid valve, etc.

The sixth module 120F may be initially filled with a combination offresh water and treatment solution from the fresh water source 122 andthe antimicrobial agent source 128, respectively. A flow line from thefresh water source 122 to the sixth module 120F is omitted for clarityof illustration. After the initial setup, additional fluids may besupplied to the sixth module 120F via the transfer of textiles from thefifth module 120E and the antimicrobial agent source 128.

In one aspect, the treatment solution from the antimicrobial agentsource 128 is added to fresh water or other process water in thetreatment module 120F. The concentration of the antimicrobial agent(i.e., the dosage of antimicrobial agent) applied to textiles in themodule 120F may be expressed in terms of mg of antimicrobial agent perKg of textile in the module 120F (i.e., a dry weight concentration) or,alternatively, in terms of parts per million (PPM) in an aqueoussolution (i.e., a liquid concentration). In some examples, the treatmentsolution can be controllably added to the module 120F to achieve aconcentration of approximately 0.5 to approximately 50 mg ofantimicrobial agent per 1 Kg of textile in the module 120F. In otherexamples, the antimicrobial agent can be applied to textiles at aconcentration greater than approximately 8 mg antimicrobial agent per 1Kg of textile and, in still other examples, a concentration greater thanapproximately 10 mg antimicrobial agent per 1 Kg of textile.

As shown in FIG. 4, the washer system 100 includes a plurality of readerdevices 126A-126I at a plurality of locations in the washer system 100.The reader devices 126A-126I include a first reader device 126A at theintake 114, a second reader device 126B at the first module 120A, athird reader device 126C at the second module 120B, a fourth readerdevice 126D at the third module 120C, a fifth reader device 126E at thefourth module 120D, a sixth reader device 126F at the fifth module 120E,a seventh reader device 126G at the sixth module 120F, an eighth readerdevice 126H at the discharge 116, and a ninth reader device 126I at theextract device 118. The reader devices 126A-126I are communicativelycoupled to the computing device 30. The reader devices 126A-126I candetect the identification tag 24 of the textile 12 and responsivelytransmit signals to the computing device 30 to facilitate tracking thetextile 12 as it enters, moves through, and/or exits the washer system100.

Within examples, when the computing device 30 receives a signalidentifying the textile 12 (e.g., via the identification information),the computing device 30 determines one or more parameters 42 for washingand/or treating the textile 12 in the washer system 100. For instance,the computing device 30 can use the received identification informationto lookup the tracking data 36 and/or the product data 38 stored in thedata storage unit 34 for the textile 12. The computing device 30 canthen process the associated tracking data 36 and/or product data 38 todetermine the parameter(s) 42 for washing and/or treating the textile12. In examples in which multiple textiles 12 are to be washed and/ortreated together as a batch, the computing device 30 can determine theparameter(s) 42 based on an analysis of a combination of the trackingdata 36 and/or product data 38 of all of the textiles 12 in the batch,which are identified by the reader devices 126A-126I.

As an example, the computing device 30 can receive a signal from thereader device 126A, which includes the unique identification informationof the identification tag 24 associated with the textile 12. Thecomputing device 30 can then determine, based on the tracking data 36and/or the product data 38 associated with the textile 12, aconcentration of the antimicrobial agent to use in a treatment solutionfor treating the textile 12. The computing device 30 can then transmit acontrol signal to cause the antimicrobial agent source 128 and/or theflow control device 139 to provide the treatment solution with thedetermined concentration of the antimicrobial agent to the sixth module120F when the textile 12 is present in the sixth module 120F. Forinstance, the computing device 30 can provide control signals to theflow control device 139 to cause the flow control device 139 to increasethe antimicrobial agent in the sixth module 120F so as to achieve thedetermined dosage of antimicrobial agent.

To determine an amount of antimicrobial agent to add to the sixth module120F, the washer system 100 can include a conductivity measurement probe158 in the sixth module 120F. The conductivity probe 158 can measure aconductivity of the fluid in the sixth module 120F, which can provide anindication of the amount of antimicrobial agent in the fluid. Thecomputing device 30 can be communicatively coupled to the conductivitymeasurement probe 158, receive signals indicating the measuredconductivity, determine the amount of antimicrobial agent in the sixthmodule 120F based on the received signals, and then determine the amountof antimicrobial agent that needs to be added from the antimicrobialagent source 128 to achieve the determined dosage. In one example, thedetermined dosage can be a dosage that is expected to achieve a targetlevel of efficacy as a result of the treatment cycle.

As an additional or alternative example, the computing device 30 candetermine the rate of addition of the treatment solution to the module(i.e., the dosing rate) based on the tracking data 36 and/or the productdata 38. In one implementation, the rate of addition of the treatmentsolution to the module can be controlled to ensure that the textile inthe module is uniformly treated. In some examples, the treatment cyclelasts between about 30 seconds and about 2.5 minutes. Therefore, toachieve a uniform dose of agent throughout the textile load, theaddition of the treatment solution to the module may be affected priorto the first 90 seconds of the treatment cycle.

In some aspects, the computing device 30 can cause the treatmentsolution to be added to the module at a fixed rate. As one example, thetreatment solution having a concentration of about 2,000 PPM (aq) toabout 15,000 PPM (aq), more particularly about 4000-15000 PPM, is addedto a treatment module containing about, for example, 600 liters ofliquid and 150 Kg of textile at a rate of about 30 ml/minute for about2.5 minutes. In other examples, the antimicrobial agent can be added tothe module at a rate between about 5 ml/min to about 50 ml/min for aperiod of time between about 15 seconds to about 150 seconds. In oneparticular non limiting example, a 600 liter liquid bath having a liquidantimicrobial agent concentration of 2 PPM (aq) is achieved by adding a1000 ml solution having an agent concentration of 1,200 PPM for 2.5minute at rate of 400 ml/min. At this concentration, assuming atheoretical 100% yield, the textiles would be infused with 8 mg/kg ofantimicrobial agent.

In other aspects, the computing device 30 can cause the treatmentsolution to be added to the module at a variable rate, which furtherimproves the uniformity of the antimicrobial agent on the finishedtextile. In one example, the antimicrobial agent can be added to themodule containing 600 liters of liquid at a rate of about 5 ml/min forabout 15 seconds to about 60 seconds followed by a rate of about 20ml/min for about 15 seconds to about 90 seconds.

As another example, the computing device 30 can determine theconcentration utilized for a textile based on product data 38 indicatingthe type of textile material in the textile as different materials mayhave different uptake yield rates, which reflects the percent of theantimicrobial agent that becomes associated with the textile during thetreatment. Table 1 illustrates example yields for example dosages oftextiles of different materials.

TABLE 1 Silver Content (mg/kg) Linen Dosage Yield Type Batch (mg/kg) 1 23 AVG (%) Cotton Lot 1 1 1.1 0.8 1.3 1.1 107 Lot 2 1 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 73Lot 3 1 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 73 Cotton/Poly Lot 1 1.5 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1 71Blend Lot 2 1.5 0.9 1.9 2.9 1.9 127 Lot 3 1 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 90 SpandexLot 1 3.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.5 45 Lot 2 3.4 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.6 47 Lot 3 3.4 1.61.6 1.6 1.6 47 Polyester Lot 1 3.4 nd 0.6 nd 0.6 18 Lot 2 3.4 0.7 0.80.6 0.7 21 Lot 3 3.4 1 0.9 0.9 0.9 27 Lot 4 4 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 23 NylonLot 1 35 1.6 1.8 1.5 1.6 5 Spandex Lot 2 35 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 4 Blend Lot3 35 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 4 100% Lot 1 35 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 3 Nylon Lot 2 350.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 2 Lot 3 35 1 0.9 1.1 1.0 3 100% Lot 1 35 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.72 Microfiber Lot 2 35 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 2 Lot 3 35 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.8 2

In Table 1, the dosage reflects the amount of silver ion per kg oftextile in the each batch of a treatment cycle a pilot plant study.Silver nitrate was added in an amount that provides the appropriate ionweight. The volume of batch liquid was approximately 25 liters and theamount of the textile was approximately 0.25 kg. It should be understoodthat Table 1 reflects exemplary dosage values that can be used for thetextile materials shown, and other dosages are contemplated For example,in some implementations, a batch of textiles of a particular materialmay be dosed at a dosage value that differs by about plus or minus 50%from the dosage value listed in Table 1 for the same material, dependingon the desired silver content of the treated textile and/or the targetantimicrobial efficacy sought to be achieved. Other exampleimplementations are also possible.

In general, the volume of the liquid in each batch may not be criticalto the antimicrobial update (yield) by the textile. Typically,industrial applications involve treatment batch sizes of about 500-1000liters, for example about 600 L, for textile loads of about 150 kg. Ithas been found that moderate adjustment of the liquid volume of thetreatment batch does not substantially affect yield.

As noted above, the reader devices 126A-126I are communicatively coupledto the computing device 30. As such, each reader device 126A-126I cantransmit a signal to the computing device 30 responsive to the readerdevice 126A-126I detecting the identification tag 24. Responsive to thecomputing device 30 receiving the signal, the computing device 30 candetermine and/or update tracking data for the textile 12 based on theunique identification information. For instance, the computing device 30can record the time at which the textile was present within the modules120A-120F. The computing device 30 can also record the parameter(s) 42used to wash and/or treat the textile 12 during that the recorded timesof the textile 12. In this way, the computing device 30 can determineadditional information about how the textile 12 was washed and/ortreated so that subsequent laundry cycles can be dynamically controlledbased on the events of the present laundry cycle (and other past laundrycycles).

As noted above, after the textiles are treated in the sixth module 120F,the textiles are transferred to the fluid-extraction device 118 via thedischarge 116. The fluid-extraction device 118 extracts fluids from thetextiles. In some examples, the extracted fluids may be drained as wastewater effluent. One problem with such an approach is that the extractedfluids may contain excess antimicrobial agent that was not retainedwithin the textiles. If the effluent is not treated, the excessantimicrobial agent may be released into waterways. Above certainconcentrations, antimicrobial agents may be a problematic pollutant formany fresh- and salt-water organisms. For this reason, many governmentalregulations require operators to treat effluent if the concentration ofantimicrobial agent is greater than a proscribed limit (e.g., 10 mg perkg). Unfortunately, effluent treatment can be prohibitively expensivefor many laundry operators. Additionally, in some instances, drainingthe extracted fluids may unnecessarily waste substantial amounts ofantimicrobial agent, increasing the cost to treat textiles.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, the washer system 100 canaddress these problems associated with excess antimicrobial agent in theextracted fluids. In particular, the washer system 100 can collect theextracted fluids from the fluid-extraction device 118 and recirculatethe extracted fluids back into the tunnel washer 112. Advantageously,recirculating the extracted fluids mitigates wasted antimicrobial agentand the extent to which waste water effluent needs to be treated tocomply with environmental regulations.

In the illustrated example, the extracted fluids are collected in apress-water-recovery (PWR) tank 138. As shown in FIG. 4, the PWR tank138 can provide at least a portion of the extracted fluid to the fifthmodule 120E in the rinse zone via a flow line 140. Providingantimicrobial agent (e.g., silver ions) to a module 120E preceding thetreatment module 120F may allow the antimicrobial agent to bind orchelate to contaminants or other inhibiting ions in the fluid of module120E, thereby facilitating a more accurate treatment of the textiles inthe treatment module 120F. Additionally, providing the antimicrobialagent to the module 120E may facilitate greater uniformity ofantimicrobial agent distribution in the textiles.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the PWR tank 138 can also provide at least aportion of the extracted fluid to a flush tank 142 via a flow line 144.The flush tank 142 may also receive fresh water from the fresh watersource 122 via a flow line 146. The flush tank 142 may then provide amixture of fresh water and the extracted water (which may contain excessantimicrobial agent) to the intake 114 via a flow line 148. In this way,the flush tank 142 can provide fluids to the intake 114, which allow theintake 114 to function as a pre-wash module when textiles are receivedin the intake 114. Providing the antimicrobial agent in the intake 114can facilitate uniformity of antimicrobial agent distribution and moreaccurate treatment of the textiles in subsequent modules. In general,increasing the number of exposures of the textile to the antimicrobialagent can facilitate improving the uniformity of antimicrobial agentdistribution in the textile.

To provide the extracted fluids to the fifth module 150E and/or theflush tank 142, the washer system 100 can include one or more pumpsand/or valves (which are not shown for clarity of illustration).Although the extracted fluids may be provided to the intake 114 and/orthe fifth module 120E in the illustrated example, it should beunderstood that the extracted fluids can be similarly provided to othermodules in other examples. For instance, in another example, at leastportion of the extracted fluids can be additionally or alternativelyprovided by the PWR tank 138 to the sixth module 120F in the treatmentzone.

According to additional or alternative aspects of the disclosure, thewasher system 100 can include additional features that help to mitigateproblems associated with poor water quality. During the treatmentprocess, the metallic ions of the antimicrobial agent may attach to atextile via electrostatic dipole interactions or other interactionsincluding mechanical interaction. For some fabrics, the positive chargefrom the metallic ions is attracted to the slight-negative dipole on thepolymer backbone of textile fibers. Generally, contaminants present inpoor quality water reduce the probability that the antimicrobialmetallic ions will affix to bonding sites of the textile. This is, inpart, because some metallic ions may affix to cationic contaminantsinstead of the textile. Thus, to achieve a desired level ofantimicrobial agent content in the textiles, the textiles may need to betreated with greater amounts of antimicrobial agent when water qualityis poor as compared to when water quality is good.

To address problems associated with poor or changed quality water, thewasher system 100 can include one or more sensors that measure a qualityof water in the system 100 and, based on the measured water quality,dynamically control the amount of antimicrobial agent utilized in atreatment cycle. For example, in the washer system 100 shown in FIG. 4,a first water quality sensor 150A is located in the sixth module 120Fand a second water quality sensor 150B is located along the flow line130. The water quality sensors 150A, 150B can be communicatively coupledto the computing device 30. In this way, the water quality sensors 150A,150B may measure the quality of water in the sixth module 120F and theflow line 130, respectively, and transmit a water-quality signal to thecomputing device 30 indicating the measured water quality. The computingsystem 30 can thus determine and/or update the tracking data 36 based onthe measured water quality in some examples. A commercially availableexample of a water quality sensor is the EXAxt SC450Conductivity/Resistivity Analyser (Yokogawa North America, Inc., SugarLand, Tex.). The computing device 30 may then process the water-qualitysignals to determine an amount of antimicrobial agent to be used for atreatment cycles or a plurality of treatment cycles.

In some examples, the sensors 150A, 150B can measure one or more waterquality parameters such as, for instance, a water hardness (e.g., acalcium and/or magnesium concentration), a pH, and/or a total dissolvedsolids (TDS) concentration. The measured water quality parameters may beweighted and combined by the computing device 30 to generate a RelativeWater Quality (RWQ) number. In one implementation, a higher RWQ mayindicate a higher hardness, TDS level, and/or pH. It has been discoveredthat as the RWQ increases, an exponentially higher dosage ofantimicrobial agent is required to maintain or achieve an efficaciouslevel of antimicrobial agent in the textiles. As such, the computingdevice 30 can be configured to apply one or more algorithms with the RWQas an input and an antimicrobial dosage as an output. A chartillustrating one example algorithm for determining a dosage ofantimicrobial agent (mg antimicrobial agent to Kg textile) based onmeasured water quality is shown in FIG. 5. It should be understood thatother examples are also possible.

In an alternative aspect to address water quality, the system can addpolished water to the system prior to the textiles entering thetreatment zone. Accordingly prior to the textiles entering the treatmentzone, the textiles are subjected to polished water. By the time thetextiles enter the treatment zone, water of poor quality associated withthe textiles is replaced with polished water, therefore enhancing theeffectiveness of the treatment zone.

Although illustrated example includes a water quality sensor 150A in thesixth module 120F and a water quality sensor 150B in the flow line 130,it should be understood that the washer system 100 can include more orfewer water quality sensors in other examples.

Although not shown in FIG. 4 for clarity of illustration, the washersystem 100 can further include a user interface to facilitateinteraction with a user of washer system 100, if applicable. As such,the user interface may include input components such as a keyboard, akeypad, a mouse, a touch-sensitive panel, a microphone, and/or a camera,and/or output components such as a display device (which, for example,may be combined with a touch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and/or ahaptic feedback system.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-13B, example processes are illustrated anddescribed for treating textiles with an antimicrobial agent according tovarious aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that,according to alternative aspects of the disclosure, the processes ofFIGS. 6-13B can omit steps, include additional steps, and/or modify theorder of steps presented above. Additionally, it is contemplated thatone or more of the steps presented below can be performedsimultaneously. It should also be understood that the example processesof FIGS. 6-13B can correspond to at least some instructions that can beexecuted by the computing device 30 to perform the below describedfunctions.

The processes of the present disclosure can also be combined with theprocess described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/085,539,filed Mar. 30, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example flowchart for using a washer system,including a tunnel washer (e.g., the washer system 100), to treat atextile with an antimicrobial agent according to some aspects of thedisclosure. At block 202, a textile is received in the intake 114. Withthe textile in the intake 114, the washer system 100 may provide fluidfrom the flush tank 142 to the intake 114 to perform a pre-wash cycle onthe textile. During the pre-wash cycle, the fluid in the intake 114 mayfacilitate initial wetting of the textile prior to the main wash zone.

At block 204, the tunnel washer 112 transports the textile from theintake 114 to the wash zone. At block 206, the textile is washed with adetergent and, optionally, other wash chemicals, steam, and/or heat ineach of the modules 120A-120C of the wash zone. The detergent can beprovided to the wash zone modules 120A-120C from a detergent source 156as shown in FIG. 4. As the textile is progressed through the modules120A-120C, the wash fluids counterflow from the third module 120C to thefirst module 120A (i.e., in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4), whereexcess wash fluids are drained via the drain 154.

At block 208, the textile is transferred from the wash zone to the rinsezone. In the example of FIG. 4, the textile is transferred from thethird module 120C to the fourth module 120D. At block 210, the textileis rinsed in each of rinse zone modules 120D, 120E with rinse fluidsprovided by the fresh water source 122, the polished water source 124,and/or the tempered water source 124. Optionally, the textile mayadditionally or alternatively be rinsed by fluids provided by the PWRtank 138. In particular, the rinse fluids are provided to the lastmodule 120E of the rinse zone so that the rinse fluids counterflow backto the beginning of the rinse zone at module 120D. In this way, thetextile may be progressively rinsed in cleaner rinse fluids as it movesthrough the tunnel washer 112.

At block 212, the textile is transferred from the rinse zone to thetreatment zone. In doing so, a portion of the rinse fluids may betransferred with the textile into the treatment zone module 120F. Atblock 214, the textile is submerged in a treatment solution includingthe antimicrobial agent. At block 216, the antimicrobial agent source128 may optionally provide additional antimicrobial agent to thetreatment zone module 120F (if necessary) to achieve a treatmentsolution having a predetermined dosage of antimicrobial agent.

At block 218, the textile is transferred, via the discharge 116, to thefluid-extraction device 118. At block 220, the fluid-extraction device118 extracts excess fluids from the textile. At block 222, the textilemay then be transported to other components for drying and/or finishing(e.g., folding).

In the example washer system 100 described above, the treatment of thetextile with antimicrobial agent is described as being performed in atreatment module that is separate from the rinse modules. It should beunderstood that according to additional or alternative aspects, thetreatment functions can be performed in the last rinse module. Forexample, the treatment may be performed in the last rinse module, whichtransfers fluids to other modules via counterflow.

At block 224, the PWR tank 138 may receive the extracted fluids from thefluid-extraction device 118. At block 226, the PWR tank 138 mayrecirculate at least a portion of the extracted fluids back into thetunnel washer 112. For example, the PWR tank 138 may recirculate atleast a portion of the extracted fluids back to the fifth module 120E inthe rinse zone (or a combined rinse/treatment zone), and/or at to theflush tank 142 for use in the intake 114 as described above.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process 300 for treating textile with anantimicrobial agent according to another example. As shown in FIG. 7, atblock 310, the process 300 includes receiving a textile in a washersystem. The textile includes an identification tag, which uniquelyidentifies the textile among a plurality of textiles.

At block 312, the process 300 includes detecting, in the washer system,the identification tag. At block 314, the process 300 includesdetermining, based on the detected identification tag, one or moreparameters for treating the textile with an antimicrobial agent, whereinthe antimicrobial agent comprises a metallic ion. At block 316, theprocess 300 includes washing the textile with a detergent. After washingthe textile with the detergent at block 316, the process 300 includestreating the textile with the antimicrobial agent based on the one ormore parameters at block 318.

FIGS. 8-12 depict additional aspects of the method 300 according tofurther examples. In FIG. 8, the one or more parameters can provide adosing rate for treating the textile with the antimicrobial agent, andtreating the textile at block 318 can include transferring a treatmentsolution of the antimicrobial agent to a module of the washer system atthe dosing rate provided by the one or more parameters at block 320.

In FIG. 9, the one or more parameters can provide a dosing rate fortreating the textile with the antimicrobial agent, and treating thetextile at block 318 can include transferring a treatment solution ofthe antimicrobial agent to a module of the washer system at the dosingrate provided by the one or more parameters at block 322.

In FIG. 10, determining the one or more parameters at block 314 caninclude determining, in a data storage unit, tracking data correspondingto the identification tag at block 324. The tracking data can be basedon one or more prior detections of the identification tag. Determiningthe one or more parameters at block 314 can also include processing thetracking data to determine the one or more parameters at block 326.

In FIG. 11, detecting the identification tag at block 312 can include(i) detecting the identification tag at a first time when the textileenters a treatment zone of the washer system at block 328, (ii)detecting the identification tag at a second time when the textile exitsthe treatment zone at block 330, and (iii) determining tracking data forthe textile based on the first time, the second time, and the one moreparameters used to treat the textile between the first time and thesecond time at block 332.

In FIG. 12, the process 300 can further include storing, in a datastorage unit, tracking data relating to the one or more parameters usedto treat the textile at block 334.

FIGS. 13A-13B is a flowchart of a process 400 for treating textile withan antimicrobial agent according to another example. As shown in FIGS.13A-13B, the process 400 includes performing a first laundry process atblock 410 by performing the steps shown in blocks 410A-410F. At block410A, the process 400 includes receiving a textile in a washer systemfor the first laundry cycle. The textile includes an identification tag,which uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles. Atblock 410B, the process 400 includes detecting, in the washer system,the identification tag during the first laundry cycle. At block 410C,the process 400 includes determining, based on the detectedidentification tag, one or more first parameters for treating thetextile with an antimicrobial agent during the first laundry cycle. Theantimicrobial agent comprises a metallic ion. At block 410D, the process400 includes washing the textile with a detergent during the firstlaundry cycle. After washing the textile with the detergent at block410D, the process 400 includes treating the textile with theantimicrobial agent based on the one or more first parameters at block410E. After treating the textile at block 410E, the process 400 includesremoving the textile from the washer system at block 410F.

At block 412, the process 400 further includes storing, in a datastorage unit, tracking data relating to the one or more first parametersused to treat the textile during the first laundry cycle at block 412.As also shown in FIGS. 13A-13B, after the first laundry cycle at block410, the process 400 includes performing a second laundry cycle at block414 by performing the steps shown in blocks 414A-414E. At block 414A,the process 400 includes receiving the textile in a washer system forthe second laundry cycle. At block 414B, the process 400 includesdetecting, in the washer system, the identification tag during thesecond laundry cycle. At block 414C, the process 400 includesdetermining, based on the detected identification tag and the trackingdata stored in the data storage unit, one or more second parameters fortreating the textile with an antimicrobial agent. At block 414D, theprocess 400 includes washing the textile with a detergent. After washingthe textile with the detergent at block 414D, the process 400 includestreating the textile with the antimicrobial agent based on the one ormore second parameters at block 414E.

Aspects of the disclosure are described above in the context of thewasher system 100, which includes a tunnel washer 112 having a pluralityof modules 120A-120F. However, these aspects of the disclosure can beextended to systems and processes in the context of residential and/orcommercial washer-extraction devices. For example, according toalternative aspects, the one or more reader devices can be provided in awasher-extraction device, which may control an amount of antimicrobialagent utilized in a treatment cycle based on tracking data stored forthe textile.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of treating a textile with an antimicrobial agent,the method comprising: receiving a textile in a washer system, whereinthe textile comprises an identification tag, wherein the identificationtag uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles;detecting, in the washer system, the identification tag; determining,based on the detected identification tag, one or more parameters fortreating the textile with an antimicrobial agent, wherein theantimicrobial agent comprises a metallic ion, and wherein determiningthe one or more parameters comprises: determining, in a data storageunit, tracking data corresponding to the identification tag, wherein thetracking data is based on one or more prior detections of theidentification tag and indicates patient-related information, whereinthe patient-related information is a medical record associated with atleast one patient associated with the textile, and wherein the medicalrecord is used to determine information relating to at least one of: (i)one or more medical procedures performed on the patient; or (ii) one ormore health conditions of the patient for a time period during which thepatient used the textile; and processing the tracking data to determinethe one or more parameters; washing the textile with a detergent; andafter washing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile withthe antimicrobial agent based on the one or more parameters.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters provide aconcentration of the antimicrobial agent for a treatment solution, andwherein treating the textile comprises dosing the textile with thetreatment solution having the concentration of the antimicrobial agentprovided by the one or more parameters.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more parameters provide a dosing rate for treatingthe textile with the antimicrobial agent, and wherein treating thetextile comprises transferring a treatment solution of the antimicrobialagent to a module of the washer system at the dosing rate provided bythe one or more parameters.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thetracking data further indicates at least one of a group of data itemsconsisting of: (i) a number of times that the textile has been washed inthe washer system, (ii) an amount of the antimicrobial agent that hasbeen applied to the textile in prior treatments, (iii) a duration of oneor more prior washing cycles, (iv) a duration of one or more treatmentcycles, and (v) a type of textile.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereindetermining the one or more parameters further comprises: determining,in the data storage unit, product data corresponding to theidentification tag, wherein the product data indicates at least one ofthe group of data items consisting of: (i) a type of textile, (ii) amaterial of the textile, and (iii) a manufacture date of the textile;and processing the product data and the tracking data to determine theone or more parameters.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentification tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, andwherein detecting the identification tag comprises interrogating theidentification tag using a RFID reader device.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the RFID reader device is located in an intake of the washersystem.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification tagcomprises a barcode, and wherein detecting the identification tagcomprises scanning the barcode using a barcode scanner.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein detecting the identification tag comprises reading theidentification tag using one or more reader devices located in thewasher system.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more readerdevices comprise a first reader device in an intake of the washersystem, wherein the first reader device is configured to determine thatthe textile entered the washer system.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the one or more reader devices further comprise at least onesecond reader device located between the intake and an discharge of thewasher system, wherein the at least one second reader device isconfigured to track the textile as it moves through the washer systemfrom the intake to the discharge.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinthe one or more reader devices further comprise a second reader devicelocated between a main wash zone of the washer system and a rinse zoneof the washer system.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one ormore reader devices further comprise a third reader device locatedbetween the rinse zone and a neutralization zone of the washer system.14. The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting theidentification tag using a second reader device located in a treatmentzone of the washer system.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein detectingthe identification tag comprises: detecting the identification tag at afirst time when the textile enters a treatment zone of the washersystem; detecting the identification tag at a second time when thetextile exits the treatment zone; and determining tracking data for thetextile based on the first time, the second time, and the one moreparameters used to treat the textile between the first time and thesecond time.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing, ina data storage unit, tracking data relating to the one or moreparameters used to treat the textile.
 17. A method of treating a textilewith an antimicrobial agent, the method comprising: performing a firstlaundry cycle by: receiving a textile in a washer system for the firstlaundry cycle, wherein the textile comprises an identification tag,wherein the identification tag uniquely identifies the textile among aplurality of textiles, detecting, in the washer system, theidentification tag during the first laundry cycle, determining, based onthe detected identification tag, one or more first parameters fortreating the textile with an antimicrobial agent during the firstlaundry cycle, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a metallic ionand wherein determining the one or more parameters comprises:determining, in a data storage unit, tracking data corresponding to theidentification tag, wherein the tracking data is based on one or moreprior detections of the identification tag indicates patient-relatedinformation, wherein the patient-related information is a medical recordassociated with at least one patient associated with the textile, andwherein the medical record is used to determine information relating toat least one of: (i) one or more medical procedures performed on thepatient; or (ii) one or more health conditions of the patient for a timeperiod during which the patient used the textile, and processing thetracking data to determine the one or more parameters, washing thetextile with a detergent during the first laundry cycle, after washingthe textile with the detergent, treating the textile with theantimicrobial agent based on the one or more first parameters, and aftertreating the textile, removing the textile from the washer system;storing, in a data storage unit, tracking data relating to the one ormore first parameters used to treat the textile during the first laundrycycle; and after the first laundry cycle, performing a second laundrycycle by: receiving the textile in a washer system for the secondlaundry cycle, detecting, in the washer system, the identification tagduring the second laundry cycle, determining, based on the detectedidentification tag and the tracking data stored in the data storageunit, one or more second parameters for treating the textile with anantimicrobial agent, washing the textile with a detergent, and afterwashing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile with theantimicrobial agent based on the one or more second parameters.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein treating the textile with the antimicrobialagent based on the one or more first parameters comprises treating thetextile using a treatment solution have a first concentration of theantimicrobial agent, and wherein determining the one or more secondparameters comprises: determining that the textile achieved apredetermined level of efficacy based on the tracking data; anddetermining a second concentration of the antimicrobial agent fortreating the textile during the second laundry cycle, wherein the secondconcentration is lower than the first concentration.
 19. A method,comprising: coupling an identification tag to a textile, wherein theidentification tag uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality ofitems; after coupling the identification tag to the textile, detectingthe identification tag at a first location in a system; responsive todetecting the identification tag at the first location, determiningtracking data associated with the textile, wherein the tracking data isbased on one or more prior detections of the identification tagindicates patient-related information, wherein the patient-relatedinformation is a medical record associated with at least one patientassociated with the textile, and wherein the medical record is used todetermine information relating to at least one of: (i) one or moremedical procedures performed on the patient; or (ii) one or more healthconditions of the patient for a time period during which the patientused the textile; after detecting the identification tag at the firstlocation, detecting the textile at a second location in the system;responsive to detecting the identification tag at the second location,updating the tracking data associated with the textile; and treating,based on the tracking data, one or more items in the system with anantimicrobial agent.